Today we’d like to introduce you to Jody Steele
Hi Jody, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to St. Augustine nearly eleven years ago and dove into real estate ten years ago. My journey into this career was sparked by a personal experience my husband and I had with our home in Charleston, SC. After living there for two years, we started noticing issues with the property. We brought in a structural engineer, and it turned out the house had major problems. After a lengthy 4 ½-year lawsuit, we were able to recover around a third of $230,000 to make repairs. The whole process was emotional and a huge learning experience, and it inspired me to help others navigate the home-buying journey with the same care and attention.
I find joy in guiding people to find their perfect home, and I often begin by asking, “How do you live your life?” This simple question helps me understand the lifestyle someone wants and how that influences their home and location choices. Whether you love the beach, enjoy golfing, prefer walking to restaurants, or need easy access to the airport or hospitals, those factors play a big role in the home-buying decision. It all comes down to location—where you live is everything.
For my sellers, I work hard to present their home in the best light possible. One of the key steps I take is arranging a staging consultation, which I cover the cost for. This helps sellers understand how buyers perceive a home and what small changes can create the best first impression. A question I frequently get is whether updates should be done before listing, and the answer depends on the neighborhood, the type of update needed, and the cost. These days, many buyers prefer move-in ready homes and are reluctant to take on even minor updates like painting. However, a full kitchen remodel is rarely the right move. It’s all about knowing the local market and ensuring the investment will increase your home’s value.My top tip for sellers is simple: invest in neutral paint colors. Bold colors can distract buyers and make it harder for them to imagine themselves in the space. A neutral palette allows them to see the home’s potential and picture it as their own.
The real estate market has seen many changes over the past year, and it’s crucial to work with an agent backed by the expertise and support of a top-tier brokerage like Engel & Völkers. Our goal is to provide luxury-level service to every client, regardless of price point. We collaborate closely with each other to navigate market shifts and stay informed on contract updates or any unique situations that may arise during a transaction. Knowledge is key to ensuring your home successfully reaches closing, and having a skilled professional by your side means you’ll be ready to handle any challenges that may come up along the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Initially it was tough, there are so many people that have their real estate license. Especially being new to the area, added a challenge because my network was somewhat limited. I had a great mentor behind me that continued to encourage and advise me along the way. It took about two years but just as he had said, “you’re planting seeds and watering them. One day they are going to start blooming and this will seem like a lifetime ago that you were struggling”. Real estate may seem easy to most but it’s the nuances and the unexpected challenges that teach you during every single transaction. I learn something new every time and I’ve done well over 100 transactions.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I was truly surprised by how the real estate market played out during the Covid crisis, both nationally and locally. Initially, I wondered how we would sell homes when people were concerned about being around others, let alone inviting strangers into their homes. The first shift I noticed was that when neighborhood amenities like pools were closed, buyers started seeking out homes with pools. Then, as people realized they would be working from home and kids would be doing online school for an unknown period, there was an increased demand for larger homes. Finally, as other states experienced extended shutdowns, I saw more out-of-state families migrating here and purchasing homes to be closer to loved ones. The market reaction definitely surprised me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.househunterfl.com
- Instagram: jodysteele_realtor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JodySteeleRealtor
- LinkedIn: jody-steele-realtor
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jodysteelerealtor
